I have the pleasure of offing an interview with Shelly Burrows, one half of the writing duo for the Dark Moon Series. Check out the full interview about a fanciful world of wonder!
What were you like at school?
Shelly: I was a goofball. When I lived in Michigan I played volleyball and basketball, but when I moved to Ohio, I got out of sports.
Were you good at English?
Shelly: I LOVED English… well the writing aspect. I hated grammar.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Shelly: I've always wanted to write, but never really considered doing it full-time. That is what I'd love to do, be a writer full-time.
Which writer inspires you?
Shelly: I read a lot of Stephen King, Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter, Dean Koontz, and thanks to Michael,, Stuart Woods.
So, what have you written?
Shelly: Blood Moon is our first novel, but I've written short stories through our role-playing.
Where can we buy, or see them?
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJQ0WL8
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OJQ0WL8?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Shelly: Well, we have a few. Bentley has had a rough life. She grow up in a crack house, but managed to get through school and into college. Life had other ideas for her though. She's definitely a fighter. Saoirse on the other hand is tough, kind when needed, but has a deep hatred for vampires. Though, I'd say she is fair. She has a lot to think about at the end of the book.
What are you working on at the minute?
Shelly: We're nearly through with the second installment of the Dark Moon Series. Dark harvest.
What is it about?
Shelly: it's a continuation of the story started with blood Moon, but you'll get to meet more people in the variant world. It's about reaping what you so.
What genre are your books?
Shelly: Paranormal, Supernatural, Action/Adventure with some romance up in there.
What draws you to this genre?
Shelly: I have always loved the supernatural and hard type stories. It seemed natural to write about it.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Shelly: For Bentley, I would love to see Laura Vandervoort, And for Saoirse, Rachel Weisz.
How much research do you do?
Shelly: it depends on what the story calls for. For example, part of Blood Moon takes place in North Carolina, so I wanted to make sure I got the folklore right, even though I'm a transplant to North Carolina.
When did you decide to become a writer?
Shelly: We were actually encouraged to write.
Why do you write?
Shelly: Because I love seeing people engage in the world that Michael and I have created. It's like letting your child grow up and go into the world for the first time. It's exciting.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
Shelly: Oh, it's a part-time thing for now. Hopefully it will blossom into a full-time career.
Where do you your ideas come from?
Shelly: most of our characters come from role-playing, but then there are some new characters in our books as well.
Do you work to an outline or plot, or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
Shelly: We have an idea of how the book will turn out, but were up to changing it if we feel it pulled in a new direction.
How do you think you've evolved creatively?
Shelly: I'm learning that sometimes less is more, but you need to know when to use that.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Shelly: I find that I have a harder time writing for all the dark characters. It's hard for me to get into that frame of mind… Which you will see one of those characters in our next book.
What is the easiest thing about writing?
Shelly: For me, it's playing off of Michael. He is such a skillful storyteller and he makes it easy to get on board.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Shelly: Blood Moon was done fairly quickly. A couple of months, but those characters we are very familiar with and knew intimately.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series?
Shelly: It's exciting, though we have a few characters that are screaming for attention!
Do you read much, and if so who are your favorite authors?
Shelly: I love reading. When I find a series, I dive right in. I love Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter, Stacia Kane, Karen Marie, Moning, and Stephen King. Though, to be fair, there are many, many more.
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books, or traditional paper/hardback books?
Shelly: I prefer to have the book in hand, but I do have e-books. I'll use my e-reader while waiting in line for my son at school.
What books are you reading at present?
Shelly: Necromancer awakening, by Nat Russo and I just finished Demonically Yours by Lauren Peyton.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books, or do you get someone to do that for you?
Shelly: We do that on our own. But it's not something we enjoy. One day I'd love for someone else to do that!
Who designed your book covers?
Shelly: A very talented woman by the name Cris Palomino. She is fantastic.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Shelly: Absolutely! If the cover doesn't pull you in, you're less likely to pick it up.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Shelly: well we love our good reviews, I mean who doesn't? But we also learned from constructive criticism.
What's your views on social media for marketing?
Shelly: I think it's important. You can reach more people through social media.
Which social network worked best for you?
Shelly: I'm a fan of Twitter. I like being able to interact with people. Facebook is a close second.
Any tips on what to do and what not to do?
Shelly: never give up. You may encounter rejection, but then again that's what makes you better.
What do you think of "trailers" for books?
Shelly: I think they're fun. We have a dream cast video for our books.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own books?
Shelly: Yes, we do. http://youtu.be/IwDjZaGw21k
Do you think that getting books away free works and why?
Shelly: I think it's a necessary thing. You can't underestimate the power that word-of-mouth carries.
How do you relax?
Shelly: Watching TV, reading, and spending time with my kiddo.
What is your favorite positive saying?
Shelly: After every storm, the sun is waiting to shine.
What is your favorite quote?
Shelly: "Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
What is your favorite film and why?
Shelly: True Romance. It has everything. Action, adventure, romance…
Where can you see yourself in five years time?
Shelly: Sitting on a beach somewhere sipping a fruity drink.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Shelly: Don't listen to the negativity. You are beautiful just the way you are.
Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
Shelly: Alice Paul. She was one of the key figures in the women's suffrage movement. I'd like to pick her brain. What life was like, the struggle she endured and what she would think of our world today.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Shelly: Never give up. Even if it's writing for yourself, you never know where it can lead.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Website: darkmoonseries.wordpress.com:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dark-Moon-Series/1383292888619153?ref=hl
Twitter: @ScribeShelly @LakersGold @DarkMoonSeries
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